AGP Executive Report

Congo Basin: A new global forest report says deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but forest loss worsened in Central Africa, putting the region’s forests under growing pressure. Congo Week: From October 18–24, events worldwide will celebrate Congolese people and culture while raising awareness of peace and justice. Berlin will host the week for the first time, with activities focused on culture, exchange and empowerment. Books & Ideas: In Vision Congo 2100, writer Mertone Anguers argues that the country’s future depends on long-term choices in education, institutions, production, the environment and culture. Rhumba: Congolese stars Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel drew attention at broadcaster Fred Machoka’s Nairobi anniversary concert after a tense onstage moment went viral; neither artist has publicly explained what happened.

Congolese Rhumba: A Nairobi tribute to broadcaster Fred Machoka was overshadowed by reports of tension between Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel. A viral clip showed Koffi walking away during a cake-cutting moment; neither artist has commented publicly. Cultural Memory: A 20-year-old Brazzaville memorial is prompting questions about who owns and interprets Congo’s past. On the Stage: Congolese music star Fally Ipupa is expected at the 10th Children of Africa Foundation gala in Abidjan.

Rhumba Spotlight: Reports of backstage tension between Koffi Olomide and Mbilia Bel overshadowed their performances at Fred Machoka’s anniversary concert in Nairobi. A viral clip showed Koffi walking away from a cake-cutting invitation; neither singer has commented publicly. National Dialogue: Opposition leader Mathias Dzon is urging an inclusive political dialogue, saying it is needed to address what his party calls a severe social crisis and violations of Congolese people’s social and cultural rights. Education: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso opened the Angola Libre school complex in Brazzaville’s Makélékélé district. Built for up to 10,000 pupils, it includes 100 classrooms, libraries, a science lab and sports facilities. Health: Gavi has urged Congo’s Senate to back vaccine funding in the 2027 budget, aiming to expand children’s access to immunisation. Cultural Heritage: A 20th-anniversary look at the Brazza Memorial raises the question of who owns Congo’s past. Cross-Border Culture: Congo and Mozambique signed cooperation agreements covering culture alongside sectors including forests, fisheries and business.

US Visa Restrictions: Congolese citizens are among nationals of 19 countries facing a full US visa suspension, in force since January 1; six categories of applicants remain eligible for exceptions. Education: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso opened the Angola Libre school complex in Brazzaville’s Makélékélé district. Its 100 classrooms are designed to serve up to 10,000 pupils, from preschool through secondary school. Congo’s History: Brazzaville’s Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza memorial marked 20 years with a gathering of historians, cultural figures and traditional authorities, renewing questions about how the city’s past should be remembered. Children’s Health: Gavi and UNICEF urged Senate President Pierre Ngolo to support a substantial vaccine-procurement allocation in the 2027 budget, aiming to reach more children with essential immunisations.

Congo’s Past: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza memorial with a ceremony bringing together historians, cultural figures, traditional leaders and officials. The anniversary also reopened questions about the 1880 treaty at the heart of the memorial’s history. Congolese Music: Fally Ipupa is expected at the 10th Children of Africa Foundation gala in Abidjan, putting one of the country’s best-known music stars on a major regional stage. Congo Basin Adventure: Millions are following adventurer Ash Dykes as he attempts a 434-mile kayak journey through the remote basin, turning the region’s landscapes and risks into a global online spectacle.

Cultural Heritage: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza memorial with a ceremony bringing together historians, cultural figures and traditional leaders. The anniversary also reopened questions about the 1880 treaty commemorated there and who gets to shape Congo’s past. Adventure: Explorer Ash Dykes is drawing millions of online viewers as he attempts a 434-mile kayak journey through the hazardous Congo Basin, turning a remote expedition into a social-media spectacle. Congolese Music: Fally Ipupa is expected at the Children of Africa Foundation’s 10th gala dinner in Abidjan, putting one of Congo’s biggest music stars on the regional stage.

Cultural Memory: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza Memorial with a ceremony bringing together historians, cultural figures and traditional leaders. The anniversary also renewed debate over the 1880 treaty between Brazza and Makoko Iloo I. Youth and Music: Congo and Venezuela are exploring a youth orchestra and choir program, with a proposed first phase at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Center for Social Integration and Reintegration. Education: Staff at Marien Ngouabi University say they have gone seven months without pay and have set a deadline, with a strike looming. Congo Basin: Adventurer Ash Dykes is kayaking 434 miles through the basin, sharing a risky journey through remote waters with millions of followers.

Historical Memory: Brazzaville’s Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza Memorial marked its 20th anniversary on October 3, with officials, historians and traditional leaders revisiting the 1880 treaty at the heart of its story. The gathering renewed questions about who shapes Congo’s public memory. Youth & Music: Venezuela has proposed bringing its National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs to the Republic of the Congo. The initial plan would start at the Aubeville Center for Social Integration and Reintegration, using music to build discipline and teamwork. Congo Basin Adventure: Millions are following adventurer Ash Dykes’ attempt to kayak 434 miles through the Congo Basin, a dangerous journey he is documenting online.

Music & Youth: Congolese star Fally Ipupa was among the artists expected at Abidjan’s Oct. 9 Children of Africa gala, which raised funds for a youth centre. Arts Education: Congo and Venezuela are exploring a youth orchestra and choir programme, with a proposed first site at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Centre for Social Integration and Reintegration. Cultural Heritage: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza Memorial with a gathering of historians, cultural figures and traditional leaders. The ceremony also revisited the 1880 treaty behind the memorial’s history. Higher Education: Eleven Congolese students won Turkish government scholarships for full university studies in 2026–27, down from 26 recipients the previous year.

Cultural Memory: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza Memorial with historians, cultural figures and traditional leaders examining the legacy of the 1880 treaty it commemorates. Music and Youth: Congo and Venezuela are exploring a youth orchestra and choir program, with a proposed launch at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Centre for Social Integration and Reintegration. Congolese Artists: Fally Ipupa is among the performers expected at a major charity gala in Abidjan on October 9, supporting a youth centre project. Education: Eleven Congolese students won fully funded scholarships to study in Türkiye this academic year, down from 26 last year. Congo Basin Adventure: Millions are following Ash Dykes as he attempts a 434-mile kayak journey through the basin, sharing updates from a remote and hazardous route.

Music and Youth: Congolese star Fally Ipupa is among the performers at Abidjan’s Children of Africa gala on Oct. 9, raising funds for a youth center. Separately, Venezuela and Congo are exploring a youth orchestra and choir program, with a first phase planned at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Center. Cultural Memory: Brazzaville marked 20 years of the Pierre-Savorgnan-de-Brazza memorial with historians, cultural figures and Téké and Loango traditional leaders, revisiting the legacy of the 1880 treaty between Brazza and Makoko Iloo I. Adventure: Millions are following Ash Dykes as he begins a 434-mile kayak journey through the hazardous Congo Basin. Education: Eleven Congolese students won Türkiye government scholarships for full university studies, down from 26 recipients last year.

Music and Youth: Congolese star Fally Ipupa is due to perform at a major charity gala in Abidjan on Oct. 9, raising funds for a youth center. Separately, Venezuela has proposed bringing its youth and children’s orchestras program to Congo, with a first phase planned at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Center for Social Integration and Reintegration. Higher Education: Marien Ngouabi University staff say they are owed seven months of pay and have given the government 72 hours to respond before a possible strike, as the academic year begins. Eleven Congolese students, down from 26 last year, have won Turkish government scholarships for full university degrees. Books and Art: Brazzaville’s Rentrée littéraire du Congo has wrapped its ninth edition and set its next gathering for Sept. 16–18, 2027. Congolese-born artist Ayé A. Aton’s paintings, inspired by West and Central African visual culture, are also featured in a U.S. exhibition.

Youth & Music: Venezuela’s ambassador has proposed bringing the country’s youth orchestras and choirs program to the Republic of Congo, with a pilot planned at Brazzaville’s Aubeville Center. The initiative aims to build discipline and teamwork through music. Congolese Stars: Fally Ipupa is among the artists expected at an Oct. 9 charity gala in Abidjan supporting a youth center. Higher Education: Eleven Congolese students won Türkiye government scholarships for 2026–27, down from 26 the previous year; awards cover tuition, housing, travel and health insurance. Campus Strain: Marien Ngouabi University unions have given the government 72 hours to address seven months of unpaid salaries or face a strike as the academic year begins. Books & Art: Brazzaville’s Rentrée littéraire du Congo has announced its next edition for Sept. 16–18, 2027. Meanwhile, an exhibition celebrates artist Ayé A. Aton’s paintings inspired by Central and West African visual traditions, including a work referencing the Ngbaka people of Congo.

Arts & Heritage: A new exhibition traces artist Ayé A. Aton’s turn toward West and Central African visual traditions, including a painting inspired by the Ngbaka people of Congo. Higher Education: Unions at Marien-Ngouabi University have given the government 72 hours to address seven months of unpaid salaries or face a strike as the academic year begins. Literature: Brazzaville’s Rentrée littéraire du Congo has announced its next edition for Sept. 16–18, 2027, after closing its ninth gathering and awarding the Grand prix Jean-Malonga. Education: A UNESCO-backed coding initiative says more than 200 teachers from the Republic of Congo and three other countries trained in digital skills, with a train-the-trainer model intended to reach more students. Congolese Diaspora: A US federal judge ordered the release of Armelle Bondonga, a Congolese-born woman detained during her marriage-based green card process.

Music & Film Grief: “Bel” opens a year after singer Beldina Odenyo’s death, using diaries, loved ones’ words, and leftover demos to trace trauma, survival, and the urgency to finish her album. Cultural Arts Spotlight: Ayé A. Aton returns to his roots through a small exhibition of paintings inspired by West and Central African masks and histories. Brazzaville Politics & Accountability: In Brazzaville, the ruling Parti des gardiens de la République (PGR) unveiled a “Pact for Acceleration 2026–2031” promising to grade its own government via an observatory and “barometer” for public policies. Health & Rights: UN warns fake and diverted medicines are endangering Central Africa, with seizures across the region including Congo. Education & Labor: Marien Ngouabi University staff in Brazzaville issue a 72-hour strike notice over seven months of salary arrears. Public Safety & Migration: In Durban, March and March shut a refugee reception centre, disrupting asylum access amid claims of targeted violence against displaced people. Energy Cooperation: SOCAR Downstream selected as project management consultant for Congo refinery modernization. Culture Calendar: PEN Congo’s Relico literary festival confirms its next edition for Sept 16–18, 2027.

University Pay Crisis: Marien-Ngouabi University unions in Brazzaville have issued a 72-hour strike notice over seven months of unpaid salary arrears and pay delays tied to the civil service, just as the academic year is starting. Health & Response Gaps: In Mangala, Ebola workers say a new treatment center is arriving too late, pointing to delayed ramp-up after the June start of spread and weeks-long lags seen elsewhere in Ituri. Illicit Medicines: A UN report flags a growing regional market for stolen and smuggled medical products, with authorities seizing 251 tonnes across Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic and Chad from 2020–2025. Mining Accountability Push: Civil society groups are calling for urgent mining governance reforms, warning that weak enforcement and low transparency can repeat “growth without development.” Energy Cooperation: SOCAR Downstream has been selected as project management consultant for SNPC’s Congo refinery modernization, supporting the CORAF refinery pre-FEED phase. Culture & Books: PEN-backed Relico (Rentrée littéraire du Congo) announced its 10th edition dates—16–18 September 2027—after closing its ninth run in Brazzaville. Music Festival Spotlight: A verified guide promotes World Creole Music Festival 2026 (Oct 23–25) in Dominica, with major international acts headlining. Extreme Adventure: Welsh explorer Ash Dykes begins a Congo Basin challenge, paddling 700km on the Sangha River in croc-infested waters. AI in Schools: UNESCO and Codemao report progress integrating AI education across Africa, including training teachers in the Republic of Congo.